Blondies

I originally called this recipe peanut butter brownies. My husband informed me that they're called blondies...who knew? Anyway, whatever you call them, they're soft, moist and just so delicious! I sprinkled peanut butter morsels on top before baking, just to be pretty.

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup margarine, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ). Grease a 8x8 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, cream together peanut butter and margarine. Gradually blend in the brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in preheated oven, or until the top springs back when touched. Cool, and cut into 16 squares.

Amish Baked Oatmeal

1/4 cup butter
1 large egg
3/8 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (regular or quick)

Melt butter. Grease 1 1/2 quart baking dish and drop in eggs and beat well. Add brown sugar, baking powder, vanilla, nutmeg or cinnamon, and salt. Mix well, no lumps. Whisk in butter and both measures of milk, then add oats.Stir well, and refrigerate overnight.Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 35-45 min, or until set in the middle.Serve hot with warm milk poured over.

Spinach Dip

8 oz spinach, thawed
8 oz cream cheese
4 oz mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic

Mix all in a bowl. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until cheese is melty and bubble. You can also nuke this in the microwave for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melty. Serve with crackers or carrots to dip.

Sloppy Joes

I don't know anyone who really likes the powdered sloppy joe mix, or the can. I decided to try to make my own and I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself :). I serve this with hand-cut and fried potatoes.

1 lb ground beef
2 5.5oz cans tomato juice
1 tbsp ketchup
1/2 c onions, chopped
1/2 c green peppers, chopped
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp onion salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 c water

Saute ground beef, onions and peppers in a large sauce pan. Drain. Add all other ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes and serve.

Turkey Chili

I hate how most chilis taste heavy and greasy. Here's a great alternative: ground turkey. It's leaner and cleaner than ground beef...and, it's cheaper.

2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
dash paprika
dash cumin
1 28oz can tomatoes
1 can black beans
1/4 can water (use bean can)

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large stock pot. Saute until turkey is browned and onions are clear. Keep the mix moving or garlic will scorch. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes or until reduced by about half.

Goulash

My husband has never liked goulash, so I made it a mission of mine to make some that he would like. Guess what-I did it!

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c chopped green peppers
1/4 c onions
2 c cooked macaroni
1 tb paprika
1 tsp. onion soup mix
1 small can crushed or diced tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
1/2 c milk or water
2 tbsp olive oil

Saute peppers and onions in olive oil. Add ground beef and paprika. Saute until brown. Add onion soup mix, tomato soup, tomatoes and simmer on med-low heat for 10 minutes. Add pasta and water/milk as needed. Cook until macaroni is tender.

Coleslaw

I hate coleslaw. Well, I hate the stuff people put in it that's not supposed to be there. I mean, pickles and pimentos? I'll stick to the normal creamy coleslaw. The cabbage is enough veggies for me! Here's my recipe for coleslaw. It's the only kind I'll eat.

1 bag shredded cabbage
1/2 c mayo
1 c ranch dressing
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together. Add more mayo or ranch if mix is too dry. Best if served with great burgers :).

Banana Bread

I made banana bread this week for our snack. I've tried a few different recipes and this is the best one:

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed banana
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tsp each cinnamon and nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x5 inch pan. Cream margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, then bananas and nutmeg and cinnamon. Add flour and soda, stirring just until combined.Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 1 hour (or till toothpick comes out clean). Remove from pan and let cool, store in refrigerator or freeze.

I made this in just a loaf pan, but try it as a bundt. I'm going to try that next time.

Pot roast

I love my crockpot...let me just say that. Fix-and-forget is an incredible talent when you're trying to juggle everyday life and its lovely atrocities which always seem to pop up around dinner time. So, in addition to menu planning, my crock pot saves the day. Throw almost anything in there and it'll be yummy! Tonight, we're doing pot roast.

1 small pot roast
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion, peeled
1 packet onion soup mix
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
6 small red potatoes, chopped
1 1/2c chopped raw carrots

Combine the first 6 ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on low overnight (12-14 hours). 2-3 hours before you plan to serve dinner, add potatoes and carrots. Also, check for salt to see if you need to add some. Cook on High until dinnertime. Serve with warm cornbread muffins.